Sports

Tri-Valley, Maysville Set To Duel In MVL Opener

Week 2 marks the start of the MVL season for the Tri-Valley Scotties and the Maysville Panthers. Both teams have a buzz going for them as they begin conference play.

New Maysville head coach Craig Clarke watched his Panthers defeat Columbus Academy 22-19. Maysville’s defense was stout late, forcing three fumbles in the fourth quarter, eventually scoring on two of the turnovers.

Tri-Valley came into this season with some of the biggest expectations in school history. Despite the pressure placed upon them, the Scotties did not disappoint in the first week. Taking on a Licking Valley squad that averaged more than 30 points a game last season, Tri-Valley held Licking scoreless in the first half, rolling to a 29-14 win.

Maysville’s Wing-T offense will have to keep the Scottie defense on their toes if coach Clarke wants to get a signature win early in his Panther career. Tri-Valley Head Coach Justin Buttermore knows his defense needs to stay disciplined in order to hinder the Wing-T.

“They run the ball very well both wide and inside,” Buttermore said. “We need to read our keys and not get caught up in the pre-snap motions.”

The Scotties played a lot of inexperienced players in the second half of the Licking Valley game. After the game, Buttermore was upset with how Tri-Valley finished. He realizes that, despite the lofty expectations and because this team is so young, players are still learning their roles. Buttermore is hoping to see growth on the field early in the season in order to make this one to remember.

“We have a lot of first year starters, but we need some of the younger kids to step up and have big games,” he said.

Maysville will have to be weary of the usual suspects against the Scotties. Quarterback Nathan Strock threw for 233 yards and scored twice. Austin Jones also ran for 107 yards in the opener. A new player becoming a weapon for the Scotties is wide receiver Trevor Krouskoupf, who had nine receptions for 144 yards and a receiving touchdown in game one.

For Maysville, a win would catapult the Panthers into the MVL championship race early in this 2012 season. On the other hand, the Scotties are hoping this could be the second step towards a historic season.